Filipinos need to learn how to think: Thinking 101 in three convenient lessons

The last couple of weeks has seen circus following circus kicking off crescendous waves of crocodile emotions that swept many Filipinos off their feet. One good thing coming out of that is that it brought to fore some really key features of the dysfunction that underlies the Philippine National Thinking Process. Below, for the reading pleasure of some folks who made chumps of themselves over the last couple of weeks, are some important lessons to learn.

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Do your homework.

In short, understand first the underlying conceptual frameworks.

The noise created around the so-called “plight” of the 190-odd Ateneo de Manila University faculty members who were being targeted by a modern-day Inquisition led by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is a good example. Some armchair “activists” were quick to wax poetic indignation about these “victims of primitivism” in the academe who had allegedly made known their stand on the Reproductive Health Bill within the premises of the Ateneo while conveniently forgetting that the Ateneo is a Catholic learning institution that describes itself as being “loyal to the teachings of the Catholic Church.”

Self-described “activists” of secularism conveniently forget that in a secular state such as the Philippines, there is an even more fundamental choice most Filipinos are able to make — whether to remain Catholic or not.

Be consistent.

Otherwise, learn when to shut up in times when silence is the dignified behaviour to apply. There is an old saying: When you always tell the truth, you don’t need to remember what you said. Bayan Muna partylist Representative Teddy CasiÃ±o conveniently forgets he is a representative of his comrades-in-partisanship when extending his crocodile condolences to the family of the late Secretary Jesse Robredo. Bayan Muna, if we recall, reportedly called for Robredo’s head to be served on a platter over charges of corruption under his watch the allegations of which were, at the time, still being investigated.

That report, funny enough, also mentioned how some congressmen who also hail from Robredo’s hometown in Bicol chimed in on Bayan Muna’s witch hunt. Interesting when one considers that Robredo’s uncle, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis R. Villafuerte happens to be a congressman and kababayan and has another nephew, a certain Jojo Villafuerte, who was also running for the Naga City mayor seat back in 2007. The elder Villafuerte is also seen to be the man who thwarted efforts to get Robredo (who, at his death was working under an “Acting Secretary” capacity) properly instated as a legitimate Cabinet member.

Know who your boss is.

The Philippines is a free country. We are able to choose who we work for. Unfortunately, the 190 Ateneo faculty members facing the Inquisition conveniently forget who their boss is. Not to worry. They are in good company. President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino III sometimes exhibits a bit of confusion around that area as well whenever he seems unable to decide whether he works for his Uncle Peping or for the Filipino people who he calls “his boss”. The venerable Teddy CasiÃ±o too. His classy Pontius Pilate act on his own politburo demonstrates that great men like him also forget who their bosses are. So don’t fret. The greatest amongst Pinoys do suffer a bit of selective amnesia every now and then.

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Sometimes it is the simplest lessons that one would think they would have learned way back in Kindergarten that trumps in substance any so-called “education” that earns some bozos a few acronyms after their names.

It is that easy to tell words that seems to contradict with our previous statements or behaviors according to certain situations. It is good that we have intelligent public observers as these changes in someone’s opinion is mostly committed by those who are in politics especially here in the Philippines that politics is mostly driven by sweet-talk but mostly action-lacked, blame games, crocodiles show and left to right boasting. Integrity is very important especially when we know that somebody’s recording and taking footages of our actions. Most of the time, it is better not to say anything at all than… Read more »

Benign0 The statement signed by a total of 192 (159 plus 33) ADMU professors was doubtless uncalled for, since the signatories are all respected professionals in their various chosen fields, most of them holding PhDs. http://www.interaksyon.com/article/40249/160-ateneo-professors-endorse-rh-bill plus an additional 33: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/40850/more-ateneo-profs-endorse-rh-bill Hence, to avoid the possibility of being mistakenly perceived that their intent was to provoke, confront or even challenge and embarrass officials of a University that employ them (their â€œbossâ€), the basic sense of propriety should have moved them to issue the statement — not as â€œthe undersigned individual faculty of the Ateneo de Manila Universityâ€ — but in… Read more »

This is GRP not Facebook. We are here to discuss/exchange ideas not look at each other’s face. That is something you learn when the only way you use the World Wide Web is looking at photos of other people.

God gave human beings the power of a sentient consciousness in analysis and reasoning. He also gave us the freedom of choice. It is a pity that a portion of the populace of the world including the Philippines are shackled, controlled and manipulated by their fellow humans. Thus we have experienced extremist ideologies, fanaticism, opportunism, manipulation and control from those false leaders or prophets who stifle and control the minds of others. Benigno is correct in speaking his mind about the political, religious and other circuses that blind men to the truth. The truth shall set you free! We as… Read more »

This is Philippine politics. There is no party loyalties on politicians. Their loyalties are their stomachs. They are good in giving Circus Shows, to people. However, the Circus Shows, do not accompany Bread(rice); as in the old Roman Empire. I have no quarrel with the Catholic Church. However, it should think itself, that we are now in the modern times. Where the increase of population far outpace, food production. This is aggravated, by the Feudalism condition in our country. The Oligarchs own mostly the agricultural lands. The common people own only a small plot of agricultural land. Food Riots are… Read more »

It is a pity that intelligent analyses of political events like this are not in the menu of mainstream media. Sadly showbiz news are given more weight in this country. Many Filipinos are fond of proclaiming their opinions hoping to prove intellectual sophistication. Little they realize that in so doing they only highlight their ignorance. Perhaps some people have a flawed understanding of their basic liberties. While we are assured freedom, such is not absolute. A teacher is free to voice his opinion but should NOT drag others, much less the institution he serves. Perhaps these teachers forget that Ateneo… Read more »

I am a Filipino, proud â€¦yet suffers, too By Apolinario B Villalobos â€œLet us not lose hopeâ€¦â€ This I have to say first For if I wonâ€™t, but instead Put that line at the end I will be stirring your anger That I will just regret later. When foreign people Set foot on our sacred shore Our ancestors welcomed them – Not just with smile But warm embrace Showed them kindness Showed them love – The way of Filipinos As the whole world knows. The Chinese brought pots and silk Gave names to our islands and islets, The Japanese brought… Read more »